Random
New York: Is something happening here?
A writer friend of mine in New York recently packed up and went to live in a cabin in the Amazon rain forest because he wanted to keep the overhead low while he was finishing a novel. Another writer I know went to Argentina to live with her novelist boyfriend where they both live cheap. I could keep listing examples, but just know that there are more.
Yet there are so many reasons to live in New York all the same. For one thing there are a lot of writers here and crazy shit happens. (One example: I got to meet Werner Herzog & hear him speak yesterday.) But there is the money issue, of course. Rent is high in a lot of places & if you eat out a lot you’re going to go broke. On the other hand there are a lot of good jobs for a writer to have here, though landing one of those jobs can be an issue.
While he was on his book tour someone asked Tao Lin if he thought there is “something happening on the east coast literary scene that is a little exciting, as opposed to [California.]” I don’t know what Tao said, but I wonder what y’all think of New York as a place for a writer to be. What is this exciting thing? Does it exist at all? I think I live here because there is no reason to have a car and I fear and loathe being in cars. Also, I have a relatively affordable set-up and can’t think of anywhere better to be…. thoughts? Alternative city suggestions? Damning accusations?
New York is the fucking best. Except maybe Rome, but even that gets boring.
There is something exciting going on here for sure. At least that’s what it seems like when I go outside. Which is like once a month.
New York is the fucking best. Except maybe Rome, but even that gets boring.
There is something exciting going on here for sure. At least that’s what it seems like when I go outside. Which is like once a month.
And what exactly is this exciting thing? How can we explain it to others?
And what exactly is this exciting thing? How can we explain it to others?
The heat that comes from the friction of people’s personal spaces rubbing up against each other, whether we want them to or not.
(That’s one possibility.)
The heat that comes from the friction of people’s personal spaces rubbing up against each other, whether we want them to or not.
(That’s one possibility.)
Chicago!
I believe somethings going on here, too.
Its cheaper to live here, plus its beautiful, plus its a like cultural hub. Midwestern hospitality included.
Chicago!
I believe somethings going on here, too.
Its cheaper to live here, plus its beautiful, plus its a like cultural hub. Midwestern hospitality included.
yeah chicago is the shit. it’s violent as fuck though. the news is like slayer lyrics.
I also like Chicago very much.
yeah chicago is the shit. it’s violent as fuck though. the news is like slayer lyrics.
I also like Chicago very much.
as someone who lives in new york (brooklyn, to be exact) i think about this a lot. i feel like new york has a palpable creative energy i’ve found lacking in a lot of the other places i’ve been to or lived.
the positives are talked about a lot. more readings than you could possibly want or care to go to, a dizzying-array of different kinds of writers and styles of writing, all sorts of events, classes and the like, as well as pretty much all the big publishing houses and agents (though these two things could also be seen as negatives) as well as a good many small and indie presses and magazines. really, it’s hard to imagine a place where so many different and diverse kinds of literary communities can all be found.
this is to also entirely ignore all of the literary history and mythology that’s here, as well as all the non-literary creative engagements you can get into.
still, new york is expensive, crowded, noisy and kind of ugly (or, depending on how you look at it, “beautifully ugly”). and some people really can’t go for that. also for as many awesome people who live and work in new york, there’s just as many shitty ones as well. maybe even more.
i think it’s up to the person, whether or not they are stimulated and inspired by all this, or bothered and distracted. whether stress helps or hurts them.
but for me, new york is home.
as someone who lives in new york (brooklyn, to be exact) i think about this a lot. i feel like new york has a palpable creative energy i’ve found lacking in a lot of the other places i’ve been to or lived.
the positives are talked about a lot. more readings than you could possibly want or care to go to, a dizzying-array of different kinds of writers and styles of writing, all sorts of events, classes and the like, as well as pretty much all the big publishing houses and agents (though these two things could also be seen as negatives) as well as a good many small and indie presses and magazines. really, it’s hard to imagine a place where so many different and diverse kinds of literary communities can all be found.
this is to also entirely ignore all of the literary history and mythology that’s here, as well as all the non-literary creative engagements you can get into.
still, new york is expensive, crowded, noisy and kind of ugly (or, depending on how you look at it, “beautifully ugly”). and some people really can’t go for that. also for as many awesome people who live and work in new york, there’s just as many shitty ones as well. maybe even more.
i think it’s up to the person, whether or not they are stimulated and inspired by all this, or bothered and distracted. whether stress helps or hurts them.
but for me, new york is home.
nice, seems pretty accurate
nice, seems pretty accurate
i like philadelphia a lot. it’s pretty great.
new york’s all right too.
i like philadelphia a lot. it’s pretty great.
new york’s all right too.
While there is much to commend in NY, what comes out of NY, some of the residents seem awfully impressed with themselves.
While there is much to commend in NY, what comes out of NY, some of the residents seem awfully impressed with themselves.
i like houston
i like houston
Seconds James Yeh’s emotion.
Seconds James Yeh’s emotion.
Please tell me why.
Please tell me why.
oh, i guess because it surprised me? i had pretty low expectations on moving here a year ago. standard texasisstupid sort of thoughts, and then got here and gene showed me some neat museums and bookstores and bars. its the biggest city ive lived in; most of the times ive lived in suburbs of cities or in smaller cities: fairfax (suburb of dc), or memphis or chattanooga. technically, i think im still in the suburbs of houston (im outside ‘the loop’) but it takes me 10-15 to drive into the fun parts/geneshouse/montrose/museum district.
there is a lot of driving here, and the city is pretty spread out, i think, populationwise, but there are parts of it i really like.
oh, i guess because it surprised me? i had pretty low expectations on moving here a year ago. standard texasisstupid sort of thoughts, and then got here and gene showed me some neat museums and bookstores and bars. its the biggest city ive lived in; most of the times ive lived in suburbs of cities or in smaller cities: fairfax (suburb of dc), or memphis or chattanooga. technically, i think im still in the suburbs of houston (im outside ‘the loop’) but it takes me 10-15 to drive into the fun parts/geneshouse/montrose/museum district.
there is a lot of driving here, and the city is pretty spread out, i think, populationwise, but there are parts of it i really like.
i use to live in pilsen. that violence was much real and much charged all day every day.
i use to live in pilsen. that violence was much real and much charged all day every day.
I just moved to NYC two months ago (leaving Chicago where I lived for 6 years) and was fortunate enough to land a job quickly (I am still finishing my MFA, writing my thesis–there is work here for writers if you can find it). Although I’ve only made it out to a handful of lit events here, things feel different. It isn’t as relaxed or welcoming as lit events in Chicago. Plus, the bars here kind of suck and people drink PBR ironically, which is weird, because in Chicago PBR was taken very seriously. And the bed bugs. Let’s not forget the bed bugs.
For you natives or long-term dwellers: what are the best regular events in the city?
I just moved to NYC two months ago (leaving Chicago where I lived for 6 years) and was fortunate enough to land a job quickly (I am still finishing my MFA, writing my thesis–there is work here for writers if you can find it). Although I’ve only made it out to a handful of lit events here, things feel different. It isn’t as relaxed or welcoming as lit events in Chicago. Plus, the bars here kind of suck and people drink PBR ironically, which is weird, because in Chicago PBR was taken very seriously. And the bed bugs. Let’s not forget the bed bugs.
For you natives or long-term dwellers: what are the best regular events in the city?
i don’t buy that people in the midwest are nice. have you been to detroit? cleveland? i always thought people in chicago were mean as hell.
i don’t buy that people in the midwest are nice. have you been to detroit? cleveland? i always thought people in chicago were mean as hell.
Fargo, FTW.
Fargo, FTW.
Well, for my money (actually it’s free), the best and friendliest regular reading series I’ve come across is this one:
http://www.multifariousarray.blogspot.com/
The Poetry Project at St. Mark’s is also indespensible, though most of those events are like $8. Usually worth it though.
I drink Guiness seriously (srsly).
Well, for my money (actually it’s free), the best and friendliest regular reading series I’ve come across is this one:
http://www.multifariousarray.blogspot.com/
The Poetry Project at St. Mark’s is also indespensible, though most of those events are like $8. Usually worth it though.
I drink Guiness seriously (srsly).
Holy shit. You lived in Chattanooga? What the hell. When and why?
Holy shit. You lived in Chattanooga? What the hell. When and why?
biggups to h-town, home of both barthelmes
biggups to h-town, home of both barthelmes
that is where my family moved when i was in 6th grade.
that is where my family moved when i was in 6th grade.
yes, st. mark’s was my first event. thanks, matt.
ironic beer drinkers need to grow up.
You might have something there. Although, it’s possible there are two Midwests–urban Midwest and rural Midwest. Even a lame-o city like Indianapolis feels very different from, say, Gnaw Bone, Indiana. Actually I think there are nice people and mean people to be found in any town in any part of the country.
yes, st. mark’s was my first event. thanks, matt.
ironic beer drinkers need to grow up.
You might have something there. Although, it’s possible there are two Midwests–urban Midwest and rural Midwest. Even a lame-o city like Indianapolis feels very different from, say, Gnaw Bone, Indiana. Actually I think there are nice people and mean people to be found in any town in any part of the country.
then stay the fuck away from those places!
then stay the fuck away from those places!
probably fair. i’ve been more than surprised by how friendly people in new york are, though. everyone seems to take each other more seriously. people are more relaxed with themselves. there’s an idyllic quality, an appreciation for being here, that certain neighborhoods exude that i’d never experienced until i moved here.
probably fair. i’ve been more than surprised by how friendly people in new york are, though. everyone seems to take each other more seriously. people are more relaxed with themselves. there’s an idyllic quality, an appreciation for being here, that certain neighborhoods exude that i’d never experienced until i moved here.
btw, has anyone ever listened to Fredrick’s old band the Red Krayola? he played drums. sweet psychedelic-punk noise haze.
The art scene in Houston seems really palpable. I’d like to visit.
The Cy Twombly museum is in Houston, which I would like to see. And isn’t the Rothko Chapel there too?
btw, has anyone ever listened to Fredrick’s old band the Red Krayola? he played drums. sweet psychedelic-punk noise haze.
The art scene in Houston seems really palpable. I’d like to visit.
The Cy Twombly museum is in Houston, which I would like to see. And isn’t the Rothko Chapel there too?
new york is one of the few places were people care about literature (or perhaps, one of the few places large enough that there are significant number of people who care around) which is pretty hard to beat, for a writer.
new york is one of the few places were people care about literature (or perhaps, one of the few places large enough that there are significant number of people who care around) which is pretty hard to beat, for a writer.
I kind of have a hard time taking chicago seriously.
I love The Red Krayola.
I kind of have a hard time taking chicago seriously.
I love The Red Krayola.
The worst literary events in Baltimore beat the best in any other city.
Okay, that’s ridiculous. But still.
The worst literary events in Baltimore beat the best in any other city.
Okay, that’s ridiculous. But still.
No one should drink PBR, ironically or seriously. It hasn’t been good since it closed its last brewery in, what, 2001?
No one should drink PBR, ironically or seriously. It hasn’t been good since it closed its last brewery in, what, 2001?
I can’t imagine living in another major US city. All the others just seem a bit too try-hard. If i’m not in New York or some global city abroad, I’d want to be down south in the country or in a neat medium sized town.
I can’t imagine living in another major US city. All the others just seem a bit too try-hard. If i’m not in New York or some global city abroad, I’d want to be down south in the country or in a neat medium sized town.
i like it. i still like it.
i like it. i still like it.
Fargo, fuck the world?
Fargo, fuck the world?
I don’t know about Manhattan (actually I do but I avoid it like the plague because bumping into tourists and shoppers drives me nuts) but Brooklyn is filled with people who are real and that’s why I like it. People don’t smile and try to be nice for the sake of fake being nice, but they’re nice if you’re nice. Everyone pretty much leaves you alone, has their own things going on and the pace is ridiculously swift for those who hate feeling they’re wasting time. Across the street from me is a bodega that sells light bulbs and coffee and ham sandwiches and down the block they do my laundry for 75 cents a lb and fold my underwear very nice. In a minute I will walk to a Chinese dive and get my dinner. There is a bridge by my place where Hasidics, Hispanics and hipsters walk for exercise. Sometimes I join them. Last night I watched Stephen Elliott read on Court Street and the crowd felt warm and sophisticated (enough) for me to feel comfortable. This was in a nice neighborhood called Cobble Hill where access to everything you need in within arms’ reach in walking distance. Brooklyn rules. I love it.
I don’t know about Manhattan (actually I do but I avoid it like the plague because bumping into tourists and shoppers drives me nuts) but Brooklyn is filled with people who are real and that’s why I like it. People don’t smile and try to be nice for the sake of fake being nice, but they’re nice if you’re nice. Everyone pretty much leaves you alone, has their own things going on and the pace is ridiculously swift for those who hate feeling they’re wasting time. Across the street from me is a bodega that sells light bulbs and coffee and ham sandwiches and down the block they do my laundry for 75 cents a lb and fold my underwear very nice. In a minute I will walk to a Chinese dive and get my dinner. There is a bridge by my place where Hasidics, Hispanics and hipsters walk for exercise. Sometimes I join them. Last night I watched Stephen Elliott read on Court Street and the crowd felt warm and sophisticated (enough) for me to feel comfortable. This was in a nice neighborhood called Cobble Hill where access to everything you need in within arms’ reach in walking distance. Brooklyn rules. I love it.
san francisco is easiest home.
i like portland.
i like new york, though i lack the financial means to find out whether i still like new york in larger doses.
i have entirely unfounded romantic notions of the midwest.
san francisco is easiest home.
i like portland.
i like new york, though i lack the financial means to find out whether i still like new york in larger doses.
i have entirely unfounded romantic notions of the midwest.
dude i just moved from pilsen. shit is real.
dude i just moved from pilsen. shit is real.
i have mad love for that hood
i have mad love for that hood
I live a few blocks from the Cy Twombly museum and the Rothko Chapel. It’s nice. I sometimes stop in randomly. They’re both free. There’s also the Menil collection and the Dan Flavin permanent installation around the corner.
I live a few blocks from the Cy Twombly museum and the Rothko Chapel. It’s nice. I sometimes stop in randomly. They’re both free. There’s also the Menil collection and the Dan Flavin permanent installation around the corner.
I love New York and it’s filled with opportunity. I lived there 2006/7 for one year and got a fair amount of writing done. But my feeling is that, if you want to produce material you’re super proud of, then go where your overhead is low. Sure, NYC’s got tons of jobs and readings, but the best job for a literary (ie, slim to non-paying) writer to have is one that requires very little time. Or better yet: no job. If time = money, then the reverse is that if you require less money, then you have more time, and you need time to write, revise, revise and revise again. That’s been my formula since leaving New York and as much as I feel like, shit man, I live in this boring shithole of a city (Phoenix) and am missing all the hot Manhattan action, if you write a lot, you miss that stuff anyway because you spend your time alone at a computer some place quiet. So what’s the point of spending all that dough? Unless you’re loaded and can coast, I like New York as a place to go when you have something to promote, because lord knows, all those journalists, tastemakers and bloggers are always on the lookout for the new exciting think to report, enjoy or tear into. But when you want to create a substantial body of work, seems more practical to go somewhere cheap, where you don’t feel like you’re missing anything by living in a computer hole.
Maybe I’m telling myself this to sooth the discomfort of living with my parents in Phoenix. Or I’ve got it all wrong, I don’t know.
I love New York and it’s filled with opportunity. I lived there 2006/7 for one year and got a fair amount of writing done. But my feeling is that, if you want to produce material you’re super proud of, then go where your overhead is low. Sure, NYC’s got tons of jobs and readings, but the best job for a literary (ie, slim to non-paying) writer to have is one that requires very little time. Or better yet: no job. If time = money, then the reverse is that if you require less money, then you have more time, and you need time to write, revise, revise and revise again. That’s been my formula since leaving New York and as much as I feel like, shit man, I live in this boring shithole of a city (Phoenix) and am missing all the hot Manhattan action, if you write a lot, you miss that stuff anyway because you spend your time alone at a computer some place quiet. So what’s the point of spending all that dough? Unless you’re loaded and can coast, I like New York as a place to go when you have something to promote, because lord knows, all those journalists, tastemakers and bloggers are always on the lookout for the new exciting think to report, enjoy or tear into. But when you want to create a substantial body of work, seems more practical to go somewhere cheap, where you don’t feel like you’re missing anything by living in a computer hole.
Maybe I’m telling myself this to sooth the discomfort of living with my parents in Phoenix. Or I’ve got it all wrong, I don’t know.
love that too. it often feels like the buzz from 8 million people’s collective ambitions, that feeling of everyone commuting at one, trying to not only survive another day but grab the golden ring, which feels like blood pumping through a giant heart. new york city is fucking amazing to be in.
new york really isn’t all that expensive–it just depends on where you live/how you choose to live. the outer boroughs have better food, better concerts, better thrift stores. manhattan is impossible to survive in without a big income. although i still haven’t figured out this working and writing at the same time thing…
Oh how I love the Cy Twombly museum. I had a mental breakdown there in a good way. That’s a nice neighborhood.
love that too. it often feels like the buzz from 8 million people’s collective ambitions, that feeling of everyone commuting at one, trying to not only survive another day but grab the golden ring, which feels like blood pumping through a giant heart. new york city is fucking amazing to be in.
new york really isn’t all that expensive–it just depends on where you live/how you choose to live. the outer boroughs have better food, better concerts, better thrift stores. manhattan is impossible to survive in without a big income. although i still haven’t figured out this working and writing at the same time thing…
Oh how I love the Cy Twombly museum. I had a mental breakdown there in a good way. That’s a nice neighborhood.
“for the win”
“for the win”
“Brooklyn is filled with people who are real and that’s why I like it.”
As opposed to the cities that are populated by holograms and androids? What does that even mean? “Real.” It’s become a piece of phatic communication. It has ceased to mean anything anymore.
One thing (among many) that iriitates me about people who live in New York is that by living there they are somehow ahead, culturally speaking, of everyone else in the country, as if you can’t get Chinese food and see Hasids walking around anywhere else, which is ridiculous. The rest of the big American metropolis’ caught up with New York a long time ago. It’s not 1977 anymore. It’s not a dangerous place to live, and there’s nothing in NYC that you can’t experience in countless other places.
“Brooklyn is filled with people who are real and that’s why I like it.”
As opposed to the cities that are populated by holograms and androids? What does that even mean? “Real.” It’s become a piece of phatic communication. It has ceased to mean anything anymore.
One thing (among many) that iriitates me about people who live in New York is that by living there they are somehow ahead, culturally speaking, of everyone else in the country, as if you can’t get Chinese food and see Hasids walking around anywhere else, which is ridiculous. The rest of the big American metropolis’ caught up with New York a long time ago. It’s not 1977 anymore. It’s not a dangerous place to live, and there’s nothing in NYC that you can’t experience in countless other places.
Yeah last night made me realize I am going to be hard pressed to leave town. It’s hard to beat getting to see Stephen Elliott, Sam Lipsyte, Nick Flynn, Kendra Malone, Sabra, James Yeh, Lincoln Michel, Rozi and many other smart people all in one spot at the same time…
that is completely true. most places i go and mention books, people start rattling off louis l’amor, tony hillerman and agatha cristy, or they’re talking about how much their first edition harry potter might sell for on amazon.
Yeah last night made me realize I am going to be hard pressed to leave town. It’s hard to beat getting to see Stephen Elliott, Sam Lipsyte, Nick Flynn, Kendra Malone, Sabra, James Yeh, Lincoln Michel, Rozi and many other smart people all in one spot at the same time…
that is completely true. most places i go and mention books, people start rattling off louis l’amor, tony hillerman and agatha cristy, or they’re talking about how much their first edition harry potter might sell for on amazon.
Yr out of yr mind. New York isn’t that expensive? Where did you grown up? Darien, Connecticut? San Marino? It’s the most expensive city in the country.
FTW will never mean anything except fuck the world. Sorry.
On the money. There should be some website that has a calculator that will tell you when to live in NY and when to leave. I do feel there is a formula.
Yr out of yr mind. New York isn’t that expensive? Where did you grown up? Darien, Connecticut? San Marino? It’s the most expensive city in the country.
FTW will never mean anything except fuck the world. Sorry.
On the money. There should be some website that has a calculator that will tell you when to live in NY and when to leave. I do feel there is a formula.
that’s true about the burroughs, but what i’m getting at is what you called this “working and writing at the same time thing.” that’s the essential equation as far as i’m concerned, for this stage in my life at least. of course i want to move back to nyc and subsist of it korean/israeli/polish/etc food and readings and energy, but maybe later. now, i need cheap, and i need time.
Yes, on average, but there is a way to live cheaply here… it just isn’t all that comfortable, I guess.
that’s true about the burroughs, but what i’m getting at is what you called this “working and writing at the same time thing.” that’s the essential equation as far as i’m concerned, for this stage in my life at least. of course i want to move back to nyc and subsist of it korean/israeli/polish/etc food and readings and energy, but maybe later. now, i need cheap, and i need time.
Yes, on average, but there is a way to live cheaply here… it just isn’t all that comfortable, I guess.
“One thing (among many) that iriitates me about people who live in New York is that by living there they are somehow ahead, culturally speaking, of everyone else in the country,”
Given how many trends (in music, art, fashion, comedy, whatever) originate in New York and then spread across the country, this is probably actually accurate.
“One thing (among many) that iriitates me about people who live in New York is that by living there they are somehow ahead, culturally speaking, of everyone else in the country,”
Given how many trends (in music, art, fashion, comedy, whatever) originate in New York and then spread across the country, this is probably actually accurate.
again, i’ll reiterate: it comes down to where you live/how you choose to live. it’s not impossible to survive here. there are affordable neighborhoods and unaffordable neighborhoods. just like there are wise decisions and unwise decisions. i can get a week’s worth of produce and groceries in bucktown for 50 bucks and live on that.
again, i’ll reiterate: it comes down to where you live/how you choose to live. it’s not impossible to survive here. there are affordable neighborhoods and unaffordable neighborhoods. just like there are wise decisions and unwise decisions. i can get a week’s worth of produce and groceries in bucktown for 50 bucks and live on that.
that’s because the midwest is for lovers.
that’s because the midwest is for lovers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfFPNzlrI6U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfFPNzlrI6U
ny didn’t invent skateboarding, california did, but ny definately have a lead on most trends. it’s a culture generator. california is mostly a culture fornicator.
ny didn’t invent skateboarding, california did, but ny definately have a lead on most trends. it’s a culture generator. california is mostly a culture fornicator.
indy is ridiculously underrated, though on a literary level, i’ll admit there’s not a whole lot going on–at least, not a lot to pay attention to.
indy is ridiculously underrated, though on a literary level, i’ll admit there’s not a whole lot going on–at least, not a lot to pay attention to.
I live in Canberra, Australia. As far as a city goes it’s pretty shitty.
It’s got some lovely places around it – as in, 2 hours drive away.
“It’s a good place to raise a family”.
I find it hard to write here. Public Servants make for some pretty low creative stimulus.
People like me go to New York City and it’s everything our city is not, and it’s mind blowing, pretty much. It’s like the smoking hot girl in high school that made out you once when she was super drunk and then pretty much never looked at you again. That’s the feeling I have about a place like NYC when I’m all the way over here in our little farming town National Capital. It’s easy to hold it up like some beacon of hope.
That said, when I push aside the lust, I sometimes question whether living in that place would perhaps be too much for me. I did go to Chicago (and Iowa City) on my last trip and I see great benefits to places like those (and others – Portland, Montreal, San Fran…). I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I guess I’m grossly underqualified to even comment on a post like this.
Anyway, I don’t recommend coming as a writer to Canberra.
I live in Canberra, Australia. As far as a city goes it’s pretty shitty.
It’s got some lovely places around it – as in, 2 hours drive away.
“It’s a good place to raise a family”.
I find it hard to write here. Public Servants make for some pretty low creative stimulus.
People like me go to New York City and it’s everything our city is not, and it’s mind blowing, pretty much. It’s like the smoking hot girl in high school that made out you once when she was super drunk and then pretty much never looked at you again. That’s the feeling I have about a place like NYC when I’m all the way over here in our little farming town National Capital. It’s easy to hold it up like some beacon of hope.
That said, when I push aside the lust, I sometimes question whether living in that place would perhaps be too much for me. I did go to Chicago (and Iowa City) on my last trip and I see great benefits to places like those (and others – Portland, Montreal, San Fran…). I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I guess I’m grossly underqualified to even comment on a post like this.
Anyway, I don’t recommend coming as a writer to Canberra.
Montrose? I love Montrose.
Montrose? I love Montrose.
There’s no place like New York. And I’m probably the only one to say it, but Manhattan is where it’s at.
It’s frightening to me when i step outside of New York, into other parts of the U.S. New York is the only place to be an ex-pat living in America.
Yes, the not needing a car factor a huge reason. Everything is right there.
There’s no place like New York. And I’m probably the only one to say it, but Manhattan is where it’s at.
It’s frightening to me when i step outside of New York, into other parts of the U.S. New York is the only place to be an ex-pat living in America.
Yes, the not needing a car factor a huge reason. Everything is right there.
Yes.
and by bucktown i meant bushwick. i haven’t fully exorcised the chicago in me.
Yes.
and by bucktown i meant bushwick. i haven’t fully exorcised the chicago in me.
It doesn’t matter where you live. If yr a writer, and that’s what you want to do with yr life, you can live anywhere, including Canberra. If you want to act like yr a writer and indulge in what you think is the “writers life,” then you move to NY and play out yr little fantasies until it’s time to go back home. The list of successful writers who never lived in NY, who cultivated their talent far, far away from that supposed Mecca, is super long and distinguished.
It doesn’t matter where you live. If yr a writer, and that’s what you want to do with yr life, you can live anywhere, including Canberra. If you want to act like yr a writer and indulge in what you think is the “writers life,” then you move to NY and play out yr little fantasies until it’s time to go back home. The list of successful writers who never lived in NY, who cultivated their talent far, far away from that supposed Mecca, is super long and distinguished.
See your raise, and call:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZeRlGP6UHQ
Seattle has felt good recently, too, in a literary sense. But, you know, half of my literary life feels international—or at least national—right now. I like where I live. I like the writers here. But I really want to go out to New York, Atlanta, Chicago, LA, Houston, Austin, and Baltimore soon for a look at everyone else’s writerly stomping grounds.
See your raise, and call:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZeRlGP6UHQ
Seattle has felt good recently, too, in a literary sense. But, you know, half of my literary life feels international—or at least national—right now. I like where I live. I like the writers here. But I really want to go out to New York, Atlanta, Chicago, LA, Houston, Austin, and Baltimore soon for a look at everyone else’s writerly stomping grounds.
There’s definitely no place like NYC, and I loved living there, as well as DC. I live in Salt Lake City now, and while I’ll likely only be here until I’m done with my PhD, I love living in a small city and love the west. This is obviously subjective (I guess that’s the point of the question), but I love the mountains, cheap living, the desert, etc. And while there’s certainly a lot of NYC that can’t be found anywhere else, the important thing for me is community, and you can find that almost anywhere you look for it. Writing’s a solitary thing – there may be a ‘creative energy’ in NYC, but I think you can find that anywhere. I think this NYC question has been floating around for a long time, and while NYC’s great, there’s absolutely no reason anybody HAS to be any particular place to be a writer.
There’s definitely no place like NYC, and I loved living there, as well as DC. I live in Salt Lake City now, and while I’ll likely only be here until I’m done with my PhD, I love living in a small city and love the west. This is obviously subjective (I guess that’s the point of the question), but I love the mountains, cheap living, the desert, etc. And while there’s certainly a lot of NYC that can’t be found anywhere else, the important thing for me is community, and you can find that almost anywhere you look for it. Writing’s a solitary thing – there may be a ‘creative energy’ in NYC, but I think you can find that anywhere. I think this NYC question has been floating around for a long time, and while NYC’s great, there’s absolutely no reason anybody HAS to be any particular place to be a writer.
You might not be able to see that particular group of people, but there are smart and interesting people everywhere.
You might not be able to see that particular group of people, but there are smart and interesting people everywhere.
Has anyone ever claimed you can only be a writer by living in New York?
Just because it is an amazing city and even more amazing place to be a writer, hardly means you are dead in the water if you live elsewhere.
Was this posted here already?
http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/new_york_new_york/goodbye_to_all_them.php
Has anyone ever claimed you can only be a writer by living in New York?
Just because it is an amazing city and even more amazing place to be a writer, hardly means you are dead in the water if you live elsewhere.
Was this posted here already?
http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/new_york_new_york/goodbye_to_all_them.php
“The heat that comes from the friction of people’s personal spaces rubbing up against each other, whether we want them to or not.”
It’s called frottage.
“The heat that comes from the friction of people’s personal spaces rubbing up against each other, whether we want them to or not.”
It’s called frottage.
And to all you native and fake Noo Yawkas: most of you couldn’t hack it in Los Angeles. No one here is impressed that you’ve lived in NYC. It has no cultural cache anymore, and it endows you with zero street cred, for whatever that’s worth. NYC is safer than San Diego. And, pray tell, what trends has NYC been ahead of the curve on since the late 70s? Name me one. You can’t. Because there are none.
And to all you native and fake Noo Yawkas: most of you couldn’t hack it in Los Angeles. No one here is impressed that you’ve lived in NYC. It has no cultural cache anymore, and it endows you with zero street cred, for whatever that’s worth. NYC is safer than San Diego. And, pray tell, what trends has NYC been ahead of the curve on since the late 70s? Name me one. You can’t. Because there are none.
Oh. I think I must’ve misunderstood. I didn’t realise this was about which city had the most street cred. Because in that case I’ll vote Mogadishu.
Oh. I think I must’ve misunderstood. I didn’t realise this was about which city had the most street cred. Because in that case I’ll vote Mogadishu.
There was recently a post on irony, I guess XX is trying to give us an example of the unintended variety!
There was recently a post on irony, I guess XX is trying to give us an example of the unintended variety!
Johannesburg?
I know the initial question was asked with sincerity, and I think it’s fun to hear where people live, but the topic ‘is NYC super special or what’ is always going to inspire this kind of argument. It’s a loaded question because no matter how well-intended the topic, it’s always going sound like a bunch of people in NYC telling you why ‘there’s no place like it!’ That’s why everybody fucking moves there. For me, I left because I got a little tired of it, what with the rat-race, the way in which a lot of people (mostly transplants, myself included) walked around with their resume (CV) pinned to their chests, but I really loved my time there. So, XX, I don’t think this was intended, as much as it might sound like it, to be a pissing contest. I love Los Angeles, too!
Johannesburg?
I know the initial question was asked with sincerity, and I think it’s fun to hear where people live, but the topic ‘is NYC super special or what’ is always going to inspire this kind of argument. It’s a loaded question because no matter how well-intended the topic, it’s always going sound like a bunch of people in NYC telling you why ‘there’s no place like it!’ That’s why everybody fucking moves there. For me, I left because I got a little tired of it, what with the rat-race, the way in which a lot of people (mostly transplants, myself included) walked around with their resume (CV) pinned to their chests, but I really loved my time there. So, XX, I don’t think this was intended, as much as it might sound like it, to be a pissing contest. I love Los Angeles, too!
where was crack invented?
where was crack invented?
http://www.cocaine.org/vials.html
i can’t believe only one person has said san francisco.
honestly i don’t think where you live means anything at all. but i mean, have you guys been to san francisco?
you can like, throw a rock and hit a writer or a bookstore or a former famous writer’s old house or a thing that will eventually be in a story probably or a sea gull or a hill or a redwood (pretty close) or a famous prison on an island or the only orang-ish bridge i can think of or gavin newsom. on second thought, just aim for gavin newsom.
i can’t believe only one person has said san francisco.
honestly i don’t think where you live means anything at all. but i mean, have you guys been to san francisco?
you can like, throw a rock and hit a writer or a bookstore or a former famous writer’s old house or a thing that will eventually be in a story probably or a sea gull or a hill or a redwood (pretty close) or a famous prison on an island or the only orang-ish bridge i can think of or gavin newsom. on second thought, just aim for gavin newsom.
Hi XX, let me get a little more specific. First off, if people aren’t real, yes, they could only be totally sci-fi, only. Since there is no spectrum in between, personality-wise, in populations. What I meant by “real” was, and I didn’t mean to offend anyone with a sense of entitlement, which I’m sure was clear to some, is–coming from the South, Tennessee and Texas, having traveled to most of the states and great cities in the US, to New York, I like the fact that people’s personalities aren’t saturated with saccharine in Brooklyn. This doesn’t necessarily mean that people in other cities aren’t as real. Or are sci-fi. I like No bullshit mixed with sophistication. I like that. Other places have that but from I’ve seen places can be too laid back or too gritty with the lack of culture or too homogenized or too damn something, but Brooklyn has a nice consistency of interesting to me. And I personally love it here. And yes, America is really great. Full of smart and interesting people everywhere. Hallelujah.
Hi XX, let me get a little more specific. First off, if people aren’t real, yes, they could only be totally sci-fi, only. Since there is no spectrum in between, personality-wise, in populations. What I meant by “real” was, and I didn’t mean to offend anyone with a sense of entitlement, which I’m sure was clear to some, is–coming from the South, Tennessee and Texas, having traveled to most of the states and great cities in the US, to New York, I like the fact that people’s personalities aren’t saturated with saccharine in Brooklyn. This doesn’t necessarily mean that people in other cities aren’t as real. Or are sci-fi. I like No bullshit mixed with sophistication. I like that. Other places have that but from I’ve seen places can be too laid back or too gritty with the lack of culture or too homogenized or too damn something, but Brooklyn has a nice consistency of interesting to me. And I personally love it here. And yes, America is really great. Full of smart and interesting people everywhere. Hallelujah.
what reynard said.
SF Bay. 415 510 925.
what reynard said.
SF Bay. 415 510 925.
Wow, Catherine, yeah it’s always good to see you, I didn’t realize Nick Flynn was there. I met him once in Houston, he was really nice. Tobias Carroll was there too and Jonathan Ames. And Todd Zuniga. And then there was Kendra talking about trying to pee on somebody. I love it. Good turnout for sure.
Wow, Catherine, yeah it’s always good to see you, I didn’t realize Nick Flynn was there. I met him once in Houston, he was really nice. Tobias Carroll was there too and Jonathan Ames. And Todd Zuniga. And then there was Kendra talking about trying to pee on somebody. I love it. Good turnout for sure.
yeah. my vote too. i think it still is. used to be anyway. i haven’t lived in the bay area for ten years, but i loved it there. i love new york too, but i feel like if i lived there i’d get awfully sick of all the talk about how cool and great it was to live there all the time. it’s just a city. if there are ten writers in houston that are awesome to be around, then there are 100 in new york. but if there are ten obnoxious assholes in atlanta, then there are 100 of those in new york too.
yeah. my vote too. i think it still is. used to be anyway. i haven’t lived in the bay area for ten years, but i loved it there. i love new york too, but i feel like if i lived there i’d get awfully sick of all the talk about how cool and great it was to live there all the time. it’s just a city. if there are ten writers in houston that are awesome to be around, then there are 100 in new york. but if there are ten obnoxious assholes in atlanta, then there are 100 of those in new york too.
Hey, sorry, I didn’t mean to sound like a dick with my comment that there were interesting and smart people outside of NYC. I’m glad you like Brooklyn.
I went to college in Houston and enjoyed it. It’s probably the best big city in Texas (I currently live in Dallas, where the response you get to the declaration “I’m a writer” is “Oh… um. Cool.”), at least for someone like me who enjoys the arts and also not spending a shit load of cash on it.
Hahahahaha
I went to college in Houston and enjoyed it. It’s probably the best big city in Texas (I currently live in Dallas, where the response you get to the declaration “I’m a writer” is “Oh… um. Cool.”), at least for someone like me who enjoys the arts and also not spending a shit load of cash on it.
Hahahahaha
philadelphia.
people, good poetry is happening in philadelphia. seriously.
philadelphia.
people, good poetry is happening in philadelphia. seriously.
Portland is the best. All the NYers who come here want to move here. My apartment is about 5x bigger than any New York apartment and I pay half as much.
Plus, c’mon–the Strand totally pales in comparison to Powell’s. Respect!
Portland is the best. All the NYers who come here want to move here. My apartment is about 5x bigger than any New York apartment and I pay half as much.
Plus, c’mon–the Strand totally pales in comparison to Powell’s. Respect!
also if it’s price you’re worried about, north oakland is still cheap, unlike anywhere in crooklyn besides bushwick, and really, come on.
not that i want you coming here, because i don’t.
also if it’s price you’re worried about, north oakland is still cheap, unlike anywhere in crooklyn besides bushwick, and really, come on.
not that i want you coming here, because i don’t.
Hey, Matt, I didn’t mean to sound like a dick either. If I did. I was a little on the defense. I’d offer to hug it out if you were closer. ;)
Hey, Matt, I didn’t mean to sound like a dick either. If I did. I was a little on the defense. I’d offer to hug it out if you were closer. ;)
Those benches outside the Rothko Chapel on Yupon (I was a dormrat at UST) was always my favorite place to read and smoke a cig. I’m glad more people are talking about Houston.
Those benches outside the Rothko Chapel on Yupon (I was a dormrat at UST) was always my favorite place to read and smoke a cig. I’m glad more people are talking about Houston.
ATL-Athens hybrid
ATL-Athens hybrid
yeah, that whole place is really relaxing.
yeah, that whole place is really relaxing.
And, y’know:
Copenhagen, Melbourne, Jerusalem al-Quds, Stockholm, Montreal, Bogota, Buenos Aries, Barcelona, Damascus, Luang Prabung, Oaxaca, Havana, Prague, Cairo.
These are some of my favourite cities that are not in the United States, and all places I would consider living.
Los Angeles I, personally, would not consider.
And, y’know:
Copenhagen, Melbourne, Jerusalem al-Quds, Stockholm, Montreal, Bogota, Buenos Aries, Barcelona, Damascus, Luang Prabung, Oaxaca, Havana, Prague, Cairo.
These are some of my favourite cities that are not in the United States, and all places I would consider living.
Los Angeles I, personally, would not consider.
i miss oakland so much. i worked at gaylord’s (insert jokes here) on piedmont. i think this qualifies as north oakland. it’s north anyway. yes. great neighborhood. oakland for sure. i think my favorite place in the world. that sounds lame and is but i think it’s true.
i miss oakland so much. i worked at gaylord’s (insert jokes here) on piedmont. i think this qualifies as north oakland. it’s north anyway. yes. great neighborhood. oakland for sure. i think my favorite place in the world. that sounds lame and is but i think it’s true.
I stomp around in Indianapolis, which is horribly underrated–think Berryman’s, “Ever to confess you’re bored means you have no Inner Resources,” mixed with the sheer potential of what you can push to the kinetic, to catalyst. It’s not for everyone, but it’s for me. The only other places I’ve really considered living are Denver or Austin.
I stomp around in Indianapolis, which is horribly underrated–think Berryman’s, “Ever to confess you’re bored means you have no Inner Resources,” mixed with the sheer potential of what you can push to the kinetic, to catalyst. It’s not for everyone, but it’s for me. The only other places I’ve really considered living are Denver or Austin.
chill beach bum california for me. there is little to no literary scene, which is fine. the cities are immature but it’s beautiful and that’s inspirational. i’ve been to nyc a lot and see the hum of people and that’s interesting too. but, when your not in the rat race it’s easier not to care about the rat race.
chill beach bum california for me. there is little to no literary scene, which is fine. the cities are immature but it’s beautiful and that’s inspirational. i’ve been to nyc a lot and see the hum of people and that’s interesting too. but, when your not in the rat race it’s easier not to care about the rat race.
Oakland def has the street cred. And diversity in the best possible way.
And SF, Berkeley, San Jose elbow-rubbing.
And “Barbara Lee speaks for me”.
Oakland def has the street cred. And diversity in the best possible way.
And SF, Berkeley, San Jose elbow-rubbing.
And “Barbara Lee speaks for me”.
i personally think sarasota, florida is the best place for a writer to live
i personally think sarasota, florida is the best place for a writer to live
Word.
Word.
I recently left New York for San Francisco and don’t regret the change. New York is undoubtedly amazing, but it also has legendary downsides, e.g. cost of living, limited landscape options (everything being concrete and glass), lack of privacy/personal space, toxic summer heat, etc. Not to mention that for a writer, NYC provides as much distraction as inspiration.
Of course, San Francisco has its downsides too: nightlife pretty much ends at 2 AM, public transportation isn’t nearly as convenient, rent can be ridiculous…but, given those (admittedly minor) drawbacks, SF is a kind of haven for artists or creative people in general. The city is GORGEOUS; the weather seems engineered for optimism; neighborhoods here are genuinely eccentric and charming; there’s a lot of smart, creative, literary people; Berkeley is just across the bay; the pace of life is palpably more relaxed and congenial; and did I mention the city is fucking BEAUTIFUL?!!
I do miss aspects of NYC’s size and energy, but I don’t miss its jaded, self-conscious, often apathetic attitude. I can relax in SF while still feeling productive, connected to a community of like-minded people and, most of all, inspired. There’s a ton of readings here, live music available every night, superb museums, excellent dining and caring, socially-conscious people.
It’s an amazing city.
I recently left New York for San Francisco and don’t regret the change. New York is undoubtedly amazing, but it also has legendary downsides, e.g. cost of living, limited landscape options (everything being concrete and glass), lack of privacy/personal space, toxic summer heat, etc. Not to mention that for a writer, NYC provides as much distraction as inspiration.
Of course, San Francisco has its downsides too: nightlife pretty much ends at 2 AM, public transportation isn’t nearly as convenient, rent can be ridiculous…but, given those (admittedly minor) drawbacks, SF is a kind of haven for artists or creative people in general. The city is GORGEOUS; the weather seems engineered for optimism; neighborhoods here are genuinely eccentric and charming; there’s a lot of smart, creative, literary people; Berkeley is just across the bay; the pace of life is palpably more relaxed and congenial; and did I mention the city is fucking BEAUTIFUL?!!
I do miss aspects of NYC’s size and energy, but I don’t miss its jaded, self-conscious, often apathetic attitude. I can relax in SF while still feeling productive, connected to a community of like-minded people and, most of all, inspired. There’s a ton of readings here, live music available every night, superb museums, excellent dining and caring, socially-conscious people.
It’s an amazing city.
Cheers to you for quoting John Berryman. You win this comment thread.
Cheers to you for quoting John Berryman. You win this comment thread.
I seek out, and reside almost entirely in, distraction. ;) Really though, good points.
I seek out, and reside almost entirely in, distraction. ;) Really though, good points.
“NYC is safer than San Diego.” Indeed. New York is safer than most large cities in the country.
Isn’t that a point in its favor?
“NYC is safer than San Diego.” Indeed. New York is safer than most large cities in the country.
Isn’t that a point in its favor?
[…] just chimed in about living and writing in Indy over at a Giant convo started by Catherine Lacey lauding NYC as a literary hotspot and asking where people come from–thought some of you […]
Have you considered Terre Haute? (That’s where I’m from.) Genuinely curious—what’s going on in Indy? I have it on good authority that Terre Haute has a better “nightlife.” ;) I always loved Bloomington, but there’s not much in the way of career opportunities there. Pretty though. Good restaurants. The pizza to be found in Bloomington kicks New York pizza’s ass. Oh and I miss the IU library. I think I mentioned that somewhere on here before. I wish Bloomington was in New York.
Have you considered Terre Haute? (That’s where I’m from.) Genuinely curious—what’s going on in Indy? I have it on good authority that Terre Haute has a better “nightlife.” ;) I always loved Bloomington, but there’s not much in the way of career opportunities there. Pretty though. Good restaurants. The pizza to be found in Bloomington kicks New York pizza’s ass. Oh and I miss the IU library. I think I mentioned that somewhere on here before. I wish Bloomington was in New York.
i like portland a lot. powell’s is great obv, although i have to say that i think book people in austin (where i’m from) was on par.
the other day i heard portland’s like, one of the most expensive cities in the country now. doesn’t really make sense. didn’t seem that expensive to me. but i haven’t lived there, so.
i like portland a lot. powell’s is great obv, although i have to say that i think book people in austin (where i’m from) was on par.
the other day i heard portland’s like, one of the most expensive cities in the country now. doesn’t really make sense. didn’t seem that expensive to me. but i haven’t lived there, so.
i go to gaylord’s pretty often. i live across the street from macarthur station in a mint green apt building. you probably have seen it. it’s dirty.
i go to gaylord’s pretty often. i live across the street from macarthur station in a mint green apt building. you probably have seen it. it’s dirty.
yes! brooklyn 4-life
yes! brooklyn 4-life
yeah, i would agree that SF is gorgeous. it’s definitely my 2nd favorite place i’ve ever lived. but, right now, at this point in my life, i would definitely vote NYC. SF is too slow and too, well, cali
yeah, i would agree that SF is gorgeous. it’s definitely my 2nd favorite place i’ve ever lived. but, right now, at this point in my life, i would definitely vote NYC. SF is too slow and too, well, cali
I’m from Naptown. Now that I’ve lived on the western frontier for three years, I appreciate it more.
Big Hat Books is cool and there seem to be more and more readings that happen.
SF seems to combine the worst parts of hipster Brooklyn with the worst parts of hippie CA culture. No offense!
I’m from Naptown. Now that I’ve lived on the western frontier for three years, I appreciate it more.
Big Hat Books is cool and there seem to be more and more readings that happen.
SF seems to combine the worst parts of hipster Brooklyn with the worst parts of hippie CA culture. No offense!
Funny, I think I know like a dozen people who’ve fled Portland for NY in the past few months alone.
Funny, I think I know like a dozen people who’ve fled Portland for NY in the past few months alone.
That’s probably mostly because of the non-existent job prospects there though.
That’s probably mostly because of the non-existent job prospects there though.
I heard that too, recently. I just moved to Portland from Austin, and I love them both, but Portland seems much more affordable to me. Both great cities, though.
I heard that too, recently. I just moved to Portland from Austin, and I love them both, but Portland seems much more affordable to me. Both great cities, though.
i honestly don’t know how you guys live there. i couldn’t do it. then again i’m a hermit mostly.
i honestly don’t know how you guys live there. i couldn’t do it. then again i’m a hermit mostly.
jesus
jesus
It’s not just that New York is unaffordable, which it certainly is by any remotely realistic writerly standards. If you ever want to not have roommates, you’ve got to play the game, and if you play the game, you won’t have time to write. More than affordability, though, which can be dealt with up to a point, it’s that, if you’re in Manhattan or this side of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, or in Williamsburg/Greenpoint (and Bushwick once the next bubble gets going)–which is where the writers are, by and large (and if you are young and a writer, you may not live in these areas, but I bet you hang out in them)–you are living in a movie set. There’s no workable middle class, let alone working class. It’s postgrads and it’s the wealthy, with a handful of subsidized-poor and grandfathered-in rent-controlled people sprinkled in very sparingly. Most of the economic diversity exists on a continuum between wealthy and billionaire. The ethnic diversity is a reassuring distraction. But the “character” of the neighborhoods where the action is is exclusively defined by people who make more than 200K/year. Even if you can scrape by on 30K, if you are spending your days and/or nights in Cobble Hill or Park Slope or Williamsburg, your life is circumscribed quite severely by the purchasing habits of the investment bankers and media professionals who can afford to live there in the daytime. Just doesn’t seem the most adventurous choice for a writer. To say nothing of the “I could actually get a nice apartment if I figured out how to get into advertising” kind of pressure. Though I, too, love the city and the transit system and wish that what I am saying weren’t so.
It’s not just that New York is unaffordable, which it certainly is by any remotely realistic writerly standards. If you ever want to not have roommates, you’ve got to play the game, and if you play the game, you won’t have time to write. More than affordability, though, which can be dealt with up to a point, it’s that, if you’re in Manhattan or this side of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, or in Williamsburg/Greenpoint (and Bushwick once the next bubble gets going)–which is where the writers are, by and large (and if you are young and a writer, you may not live in these areas, but I bet you hang out in them)–you are living in a movie set. There’s no workable middle class, let alone working class. It’s postgrads and it’s the wealthy, with a handful of subsidized-poor and grandfathered-in rent-controlled people sprinkled in very sparingly. Most of the economic diversity exists on a continuum between wealthy and billionaire. The ethnic diversity is a reassuring distraction. But the “character” of the neighborhoods where the action is is exclusively defined by people who make more than 200K/year. Even if you can scrape by on 30K, if you are spending your days and/or nights in Cobble Hill or Park Slope or Williamsburg, your life is circumscribed quite severely by the purchasing habits of the investment bankers and media professionals who can afford to live there in the daytime. Just doesn’t seem the most adventurous choice for a writer. To say nothing of the “I could actually get a nice apartment if I figured out how to get into advertising” kind of pressure. Though I, too, love the city and the transit system and wish that what I am saying weren’t so.
I’m mostly a hermit too. I don’t even know if it’s worth it sometimes. But I love it here all the same.
I’m mostly a hermit too. I don’t even know if it’s worth it sometimes. But I love it here all the same.
And I’m incredibly distracted, overstimulated, don’t know what to do with myself most of the time, and it is very expensive here. I fantasize about a cabin somewhere a lot. But for the time being, Brooklyn’s a nice place. There are great people here. If you’re in the mood to hang out. Or go to readings and stuff. It’s good to live here a while at least once, I think. To know what it’s like to then realize it’s unnecessary later if something else is more convenient and cheaper and less distracting.
And I’m incredibly distracted, overstimulated, don’t know what to do with myself most of the time, and it is very expensive here. I fantasize about a cabin somewhere a lot. But for the time being, Brooklyn’s a nice place. There are great people here. If you’re in the mood to hang out. Or go to readings and stuff. It’s good to live here a while at least once, I think. To know what it’s like to then realize it’s unnecessary later if something else is more convenient and cheaper and less distracting.
none taken!
none taken!
I think Hancock, MI is a real writer’s mecca, ten hours north of Detroit, deep in the heart of BFE. While there are no bookstores or other writers or salons or anything fancy like that, we do have plenty of time to read and write. Represent!
I think Hancock, MI is a real writer’s mecca, ten hours north of Detroit, deep in the heart of BFE. While there are no bookstores or other writers or salons or anything fancy like that, we do have plenty of time to read and write. Represent!
wait are you serious?
rome is a really bad place to live
i have been here for like 2 years
i am being serious
rome is like the opposite of new york in that rome is very static and new york is dynamic.
wait are you serious?
rome is a really bad place to live
i have been here for like 2 years
i am being serious
rome is like the opposite of new york in that rome is very static and new york is dynamic.
philadelphia is awesome because nobody ever goes there unless they have a really good reason
philadelphia is awesome because nobody ever goes there unless they have a really good reason
cy twombly has a whole museum to himself? jesus
cy twombly has a whole museum to himself? jesus
who else is not a stay-somewhere-person? who else is an always-go-someplace-else-person?
who else is not a stay-somewhere-person? who else is an always-go-someplace-else-person?
nyc overwhelmed/overwhelms me
i went to a key legal manhattan conference and spent the whole time listening to honks outside. that’s why i got fired from my law firm job. they told me the answer to it all but Irving and Ricky were honking at each other about sitting through a red light.
at night, all the tourists and everything were too much.
i guess i’m a hermit, too. if a denizen, that city would slit me up real good, worse than i can imagine
nyc overwhelmed/overwhelms me
i went to a key legal manhattan conference and spent the whole time listening to honks outside. that’s why i got fired from my law firm job. they told me the answer to it all but Irving and Ricky were honking at each other about sitting through a red light.
at night, all the tourists and everything were too much.
i guess i’m a hermit, too. if a denizen, that city would slit me up real good, worse than i can imagine
i’m shocked to see a nyc v chic thing brewing here
i think baltimore is just as good as nyc hahahaha, all in all
let’s do a philly v nyc thing next, then dc v bmore
i’m shocked to see a nyc v chic thing brewing here
i think baltimore is just as good as nyc hahahaha, all in all
let’s do a philly v nyc thing next, then dc v bmore
houston is nice, particularly around the Rice campus. lots of stuff going on.
houston is nice, particularly around the Rice campus. lots of stuff going on.
yeah, man. and Big Hat just moved into a larger space near the Brew Pub and they’re planning on doing a lot of readings in the upstairs now. i was just talking to her about a reading series i’m wanting to start here soon. good to run into you again, nate. it’s been awhile since the old BSU days.
yeah, man. and Big Hat just moved into a larger space near the Brew Pub and they’re planning on doing a lot of readings in the upstairs now. i was just talking to her about a reading series i’m wanting to start here soon. good to run into you again, nate. it’s been awhile since the old BSU days.
Yeah, man. I grew up in Brazil, so I’m familiar with Terre Haute to say the least. A lot has blown up here in Indy in the past couple of years. The city has facilitated a lot of urban infrastructure that is revitalizing downtown. First Friday gallery showings continue to get more and more traffic. Big Car Gallery just got a huge grant for a public art movement. The city itself is commissioning a lot of public art installations. There’s just a really talented and motivated group of people in Indy right now trying to get the art scene to blow up here. Unfortunately, there’s not much on the literary side, but the Writer’s Center is doing what it can. I’m actually wanting to start up something of a guerrilla reading series (inspired by the train reading at the AWP last year) here. etc. etc. As for night life, it depends on what you are looking for. Plenty of Brip rat night life in Broad Ripple if you’re looking for the BallyHoo or The Verve. And then you have Alley Cat, Dorman St., Red Key, and the Vollrath for dives. And there’s some damn good pizza here in Indy with Bazbeaux’s, Jockamo’s, and Greek’s. Jockamo’s even has a Vonnegut inspired “Slaughterhouse 5” pizza that is the opposite of vegan and not for the faint of heart. Basically, it’s not NYC or Seattle or Austin, but I fucking love this place–for what I can/could/will be, if not for what it already is.
Yeah, man. I grew up in Brazil, so I’m familiar with Terre Haute to say the least. A lot has blown up here in Indy in the past couple of years. The city has facilitated a lot of urban infrastructure that is revitalizing downtown. First Friday gallery showings continue to get more and more traffic. Big Car Gallery just got a huge grant for a public art movement. The city itself is commissioning a lot of public art installations. There’s just a really talented and motivated group of people in Indy right now trying to get the art scene to blow up here. Unfortunately, there’s not much on the literary side, but the Writer’s Center is doing what it can. I’m actually wanting to start up something of a guerrilla reading series (inspired by the train reading at the AWP last year) here. etc. etc. As for night life, it depends on what you are looking for. Plenty of Brip rat night life in Broad Ripple if you’re looking for the BallyHoo or The Verve. And then you have Alley Cat, Dorman St., Red Key, and the Vollrath for dives. And there’s some damn good pizza here in Indy with Bazbeaux’s, Jockamo’s, and Greek’s. Jockamo’s even has a Vonnegut inspired “Slaughterhouse 5” pizza that is the opposite of vegan and not for the faint of heart. Basically, it’s not NYC or Seattle or Austin, but I fucking love this place–for what I can/could/will be, if not for what it already is.
That sounds too damn cold for me. Indy is far enough north. I dated a girl in Grand Rapids a couple of years ago, and can do without the Michigan winters and lake effect snow for the rest of my life.
That sounds too damn cold for me. Indy is far enough north. I dated a girl in Grand Rapids a couple of years ago, and can do without the Michigan winters and lake effect snow for the rest of my life.
this is true. good city.
this is true. good city.
[…] asks if New York for writers is The Place to Be, or whether it’s just too damn […]
I am. That’s why I posted this. Taking suggestions. I am going to New Zealand for a few months to live/work on farms and write and sit on the earth.
I am. That’s why I posted this. Taking suggestions. I am going to New Zealand for a few months to live/work on farms and write and sit on the earth.
I’ve been in Chicago for 18 years, moved from St. Louis. Chicago has a great scene, but for sheer size and draw, it will probably never beat NYC.
It depends on what you want to do, what you want to channel, touch, be inspired by on a daily basis. If the city life is important, going out, connecting, seeing people, experiencing life I’d probably say that it goes NYC then either Chicago or SF. Lots of other great smaller cities too like Portland and Austin.
I lived in Bucktown / Wicker Park for 10 years and it was very cool, lots of artists. At one point it was the third largest artistic community in the nation behind Greenwich Village and Haight Asbury. Pilsen is very cool as well, very artistic, still a bit raw.
There is for sure more publishing, and more artists are drawn to NYC vs. Chicago. Like LA gets the actors. If an author is making a stop, they’ll ALWAYS hit NYC. You can WRITE anyplace – a barn in Dyer, Indiana or a beach in Puerto Rico. If you have the time, the resources, the connections, go for it. If you’re inventing a world, and don’t need reference points, like walking around Manhattan or Chicago or SF or wherever, then it doesn’t matter. But if you want the companionship and peer support, the SPARK of it all, then I don’t know if you can beat NYC. It is special. But on a smaller scale, there are many other special places to be as well. And sometimes being the biggest is NOT the best.
My three cents.
Peace,
Richard
I’ve been in Chicago for 18 years, moved from St. Louis. Chicago has a great scene, but for sheer size and draw, it will probably never beat NYC.
It depends on what you want to do, what you want to channel, touch, be inspired by on a daily basis. If the city life is important, going out, connecting, seeing people, experiencing life I’d probably say that it goes NYC then either Chicago or SF. Lots of other great smaller cities too like Portland and Austin.
I lived in Bucktown / Wicker Park for 10 years and it was very cool, lots of artists. At one point it was the third largest artistic community in the nation behind Greenwich Village and Haight Asbury. Pilsen is very cool as well, very artistic, still a bit raw.
There is for sure more publishing, and more artists are drawn to NYC vs. Chicago. Like LA gets the actors. If an author is making a stop, they’ll ALWAYS hit NYC. You can WRITE anyplace – a barn in Dyer, Indiana or a beach in Puerto Rico. If you have the time, the resources, the connections, go for it. If you’re inventing a world, and don’t need reference points, like walking around Manhattan or Chicago or SF or wherever, then it doesn’t matter. But if you want the companionship and peer support, the SPARK of it all, then I don’t know if you can beat NYC. It is special. But on a smaller scale, there are many other special places to be as well. And sometimes being the biggest is NOT the best.
My three cents.
Peace,
Richard
I feel incredibly disappointed by Big Hat Books. For such a huge space in such an awesome location, their selection is horrible.
I feel incredibly disappointed by Big Hat Books. For such a huge space in such an awesome location, their selection is horrible.
i pay 550$ for my room in gowanus (btwn carrol gardens and park slope – total yuppy enclaves in brooklyn) – i have multiple friends that pay 550$ or less in other areas such as bushwick, brooklyn heights – i live in a loft and these other friends that pay 550$ or less for their rooms also live in lofts with writers, painters, musicians, etc.
Additionally, i have many, many more friends that pay 600$ – 800$ for rooms in ‘normal’ apartments spread out across all five boroughs. In LA i paid 750$ for a studio apartment on the borderline of Silverlake and Koreatown. The idea that this or that place is too expensive is really self-defeatist and will hold you back ultimately.
i pay 550$ for my room in gowanus (btwn carrol gardens and park slope – total yuppy enclaves in brooklyn) – i have multiple friends that pay 550$ or less in other areas such as bushwick, brooklyn heights – i live in a loft and these other friends that pay 550$ or less for their rooms also live in lofts with writers, painters, musicians, etc.
Additionally, i have many, many more friends that pay 600$ – 800$ for rooms in ‘normal’ apartments spread out across all five boroughs. In LA i paid 750$ for a studio apartment on the borderline of Silverlake and Koreatown. The idea that this or that place is too expensive is really self-defeatist and will hold you back ultimately.
I can’t imagine this is correct at all. No working class or middle class in the five boroughs? Everyone here either wealthy or billionaire?
I find this comment also odd because in most cities people of a certain affluence will stay in areas of a similar affluence. It isn’t like living in Chicago or DC or Austin texas or wherever changes that.
I can’t imagine this is correct at all. No working class or middle class in the five boroughs? Everyone here either wealthy or billionaire?
I find this comment also odd because in most cities people of a certain affluence will stay in areas of a similar affluence. It isn’t like living in Chicago or DC or Austin texas or wherever changes that.
I could agree with that to an extent; they stock what they need to stock to stay alive, but I wouldn’t say it’s horrible. You can find gems on occasion, plus they’re receptive and pay attention to what their customers talk about. I try to make it a point to name drop good authors to them while I’m in there in hopes they will buy a copy or two of their work to keep in stock, and it’s worked a good few times.
I could agree with that to an extent; they stock what they need to stock to stay alive, but I wouldn’t say it’s horrible. You can find gems on occasion, plus they’re receptive and pay attention to what their customers talk about. I try to make it a point to name drop good authors to them while I’m in there in hopes they will buy a copy or two of their work to keep in stock, and it’s worked a good few times.
I mean, we are talking about a city that bakes a bowl out of bread and fills with cheese casserole and tries to pass it off as a “pizza.”
Yes, I went there.
I mean, we are talking about a city that bakes a bowl out of bread and fills with cheese casserole and tries to pass it off as a “pizza.”
Yes, I went there.
exactly, one of the worst job markets around. plus, portland’s amazing and all, but at least there’s work in new york that’s not just pulling espresso.
any new yorker who wants a little portland in their life only needs to read the new york times, who seems to be engaged in a perma-hump with p-town, journalistically speaking.
exactly, one of the worst job markets around. plus, portland’s amazing and all, but at least there’s work in new york that’s not just pulling espresso.
any new yorker who wants a little portland in their life only needs to read the new york times, who seems to be engaged in a perma-hump with p-town, journalistically speaking.
New Orleans.
New Orleans.
I dunno…I lived in NYC for seven years and found the cost of living to be crushing. And since I didn’t have any writer friends, I actively sought out a community but was never really socially graceful enough to work my way into one. It would be easy to say that this is because all the writers I met in NYC were cliquey and pretentious, and for awhile that’s what I thought. But I was also going about it all wrong–showing up to KGB readings and Open City parties alone and then awkwardly attempting to socialize with strangers. Not finding a community in NYC is what drove me toward an MFA and eventually my own writing community, so it’s probably a good thing I didn’t find my peeps in NYC. But that cost of living–man. Working enough to keep up with it was exhausting and ultimately and bad for my fiction.
I dunno…I lived in NYC for seven years and found the cost of living to be crushing. And since I didn’t have any writer friends, I actively sought out a community but was never really socially graceful enough to work my way into one. It would be easy to say that this is because all the writers I met in NYC were cliquey and pretentious, and for awhile that’s what I thought. But I was also going about it all wrong–showing up to KGB readings and Open City parties alone and then awkwardly attempting to socialize with strangers. Not finding a community in NYC is what drove me toward an MFA and eventually my own writing community, so it’s probably a good thing I didn’t find my peeps in NYC. But that cost of living–man. Working enough to keep up with it was exhausting and ultimately and bad for my fiction.
hey ive done a lot of that (live/work on farms) but not in new zealand. i know someone who did it in new zealand and majorly wants to go back…..
hey ive done a lot of that (live/work on farms) but not in new zealand. i know someone who did it in new zealand and majorly wants to go back…..
No working or middle class in the neighborhoods where writers congregate. Try to live in Cobble Hill or Park Slope or Williamsburg without roommates and without a trust fund. You have to have a good job, a serious career other than writing. Most people in this situation will stop writing.
Alternatively, you could live an hour and fifteen minutes from Manhattan in Queens or Brooklyn or the Bronx, but at that point you might as well be in Philly.
You are correct to say that the affluent in US cities have run everyone else out. This is not a problem unique to NY. It’s just that the level of affluence is higher, so it’s harder for anyone else, writers included, to hang on.
No working or middle class in the neighborhoods where writers congregate. Try to live in Cobble Hill or Park Slope or Williamsburg without roommates and without a trust fund. You have to have a good job, a serious career other than writing. Most people in this situation will stop writing.
Alternatively, you could live an hour and fifteen minutes from Manhattan in Queens or Brooklyn or the Bronx, but at that point you might as well be in Philly.
You are correct to say that the affluent in US cities have run everyone else out. This is not a problem unique to NY. It’s just that the level of affluence is higher, so it’s harder for anyone else, writers included, to hang on.
I still don’t get your argument because writers don’t congregate in working class neighborhoods in any other city either, certainly not the ones being named in this thread.
I still don’t get your argument because writers don’t congregate in working class neighborhoods in any other city either, certainly not the ones being named in this thread.
i love on the internet
wait live on
i love on the internet
wait live on
yes. too much.
I second that. Incredible city.
yes. too much.
I second that. Incredible city.
as far as art goes, ny has got the history, but it’s LA’s time now for sure. it’s one of the best places for artists to be making work right now as far as cost, space, and connections go. and music? no way do musical trends originate in ny. that’s something that happens all over. i’ll give you fashion though. people in nyc are damn well dressed. la fashion is a joke.
as far as art goes, ny has got the history, but it’s LA’s time now for sure. it’s one of the best places for artists to be making work right now as far as cost, space, and connections go. and music? no way do musical trends originate in ny. that’s something that happens all over. i’ll give you fashion though. people in nyc are damn well dressed. la fashion is a joke.
Me too. This is my last year of my PhD program and I couldn’t be happier. In all actuality, this place is hell for seven months of the year. I don’t know how I lasted.
Me too. This is my last year of my PhD program and I couldn’t be happier. In all actuality, this place is hell for seven months of the year. I don’t know how I lasted.
L, as I said, the lack of economic diversity in American cities is a problem. That there is not a solution does not disprove my statements here. I’m not arguing that Chicago or Portland or something is the answer, though I do think that a city that combines affordability with some sort of artistic ferment would interest me greatly. Berlin, maybe? Ljublana? I’ve heard good things about Pittsburgh. I suspect, though, that we are living in a moment where artists just live wherever, in affordable isolation, and supplement their towns’ shortcomings by finding other writers on internet forums such as this one.
My feeling, basically, is: if you are unwilling to accept that the writing scene in New York is one in which the overwhelming majority of possible candidates for admission is restricted before the fact for economic reasons, then you are fooling yourself. For me, this made the feeling of “community” at KGB or wherever feel hollow. But that’s just me. Maybe I was overthinking it. I left NY and I miss it, but if I went back to live there, it would not be for any idea of artistic community. It would be for the feeling of being on the subway at three in the morning with five people I never could have dreamed up.
L, as I said, the lack of economic diversity in American cities is a problem. That there is not a solution does not disprove my statements here. I’m not arguing that Chicago or Portland or something is the answer, though I do think that a city that combines affordability with some sort of artistic ferment would interest me greatly. Berlin, maybe? Ljublana? I’ve heard good things about Pittsburgh. I suspect, though, that we are living in a moment where artists just live wherever, in affordable isolation, and supplement their towns’ shortcomings by finding other writers on internet forums such as this one.
My feeling, basically, is: if you are unwilling to accept that the writing scene in New York is one in which the overwhelming majority of possible candidates for admission is restricted before the fact for economic reasons, then you are fooling yourself. For me, this made the feeling of “community” at KGB or wherever feel hollow. But that’s just me. Maybe I was overthinking it. I left NY and I miss it, but if I went back to live there, it would not be for any idea of artistic community. It would be for the feeling of being on the subway at three in the morning with five people I never could have dreamed up.
lived in tampa, new orleans, nashville & ATL–down south–and new orleans has a great literary culture–people talk about & read, and there are some decent stores. not a lot of readings, but there are a lot of writers from new orleans who don’t live there anymore…every writer from the south seems to have a new orleans story in them.
lived in tampa, new orleans, nashville & ATL–down south–and new orleans has a great literary culture–people talk about & read, and there are some decent stores. not a lot of readings, but there are a lot of writers from new orleans who don’t live there anymore…every writer from the south seems to have a new orleans story in them.
i do most of my drinking at home and spend most of my time writing at home. or going to class.
i do most of my drinking at home and spend most of my time writing at home. or going to class.
word.
the internet is maybe one of the best cities for a writer.
word.
the internet is maybe one of the best cities for a writer.
if i can get a job in philly when i graduate i will move back as fast as possible.
shit if i can get a job in jersey i’ll move back as fast as possible.
if i can get a job in philly when i graduate i will move back as fast as possible.
shit if i can get a job in jersey i’ll move back as fast as possible.
Valid. I almost applied to the MFA program at WMU hoping to study under Dybeck, and am glad I didn’t because he teaches at Northwestern now.
Valid. I almost applied to the MFA program at WMU hoping to study under Dybeck, and am glad I didn’t because he teaches at Northwestern now.
3rded.
3rded.
Lived in New York, now I’m in St. Louis with a 96 Crown Vic parked outside. The house is spacious the food is cheap over all a nice bubble. Every now and then, I get in the car drive around and get the New York City blues.
Lived in New York, now I’m in St. Louis with a 96 Crown Vic parked outside. The house is spacious the food is cheap over all a nice bubble. Every now and then, I get in the car drive around and get the New York City blues.
3rd that… it being my place of residence.
3rd that… it being my place of residence.
new orleans is just that kind of place.
you can turn a corner and be in a completely different time…
new orleans is just that kind of place.
you can turn a corner and be in a completely different time…
lamp:
I certainly didn’t mean that musical trends, or any trends, ONLY originate in New York. Just that new york starts a disproportionate amoutn of them (and also plenty of other trends/styles get their national exposure from New York, even if the artists in question were born elsewhere.)
lamp:
I certainly didn’t mean that musical trends, or any trends, ONLY originate in New York. Just that new york starts a disproportionate amoutn of them (and also plenty of other trends/styles get their national exposure from New York, even if the artists in question were born elsewhere.)
Catherine, if I wasn’t math challenged, I’d love to develop that formula! I have a math nerd buddy who might whip something up.
As a writer you can’t just drift place to place, you have to be somewhat strategic in order to best manage the meager finances and get the most out of your writing time. To milk it. But also consciously put yourself places where you might feed of the place’s energy or find some atmospheric energy that fuels your imagination, etc. I wish I was going to New Zealand too! Great country. Have fun and safe travels.
Catherine, if I wasn’t math challenged, I’d love to develop that formula! I have a math nerd buddy who might whip something up.
As a writer you can’t just drift place to place, you have to be somewhat strategic in order to best manage the meager finances and get the most out of your writing time. To milk it. But also consciously put yourself places where you might feed of the place’s energy or find some atmospheric energy that fuels your imagination, etc. I wish I was going to New Zealand too! Great country. Have fun and safe travels.
mmm, delicious crack. thanks matt.
mmm, delicious crack. thanks matt.
Providence.
Good food. Cheap rent. Good literary scene. Fucking very liberal.
Lightning Bolt came out of Providence.
That’s my argument.
Providence.
Good food. Cheap rent. Good literary scene. Fucking very liberal.
Lightning Bolt came out of Providence.
That’s my argument.
hahahahaha
hahahahaha
i’m sorry catherine, but i don’t think going to new zealand for a few months for a vacation qualifies you as an “always-go-someplace-else-person”. especially if you always sit in your little new york apartment doing nothing.
sell nearly all your belongings and travel the world, or just the united states for a year. then i’d actually take your comment seriously.
i’m sorry catherine, but i don’t think going to new zealand for a few months for a vacation qualifies you as an “always-go-someplace-else-person”. especially if you always sit in your little new york apartment doing nothing.
sell nearly all your belongings and travel the world, or just the united states for a year. then i’d actually take your comment seriously.
The workers there have always seemed nice and helpful– I guess I just feel disappointed because the store is huge and in such a great location, yet there’s only like three shelves of fiction. They’ve got to be paying a ton for that location, it seems like if they could somehow invest a little bit more into stock then they could really compete with the likes of Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc. It would be great to have an awesome local bookstore right in the middle of Broad Ripple
The workers there have always seemed nice and helpful– I guess I just feel disappointed because the store is huge and in such a great location, yet there’s only like three shelves of fiction. They’ve got to be paying a ton for that location, it seems like if they could somehow invest a little bit more into stock then they could really compete with the likes of Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc. It would be great to have an awesome local bookstore right in the middle of Broad Ripple